Events centre scoping report released

An independent consultants’ report has identified a $16.53 million events centre option as closely matching both Northland Regional Council funding conditions and the amount of money actually available for the project.

The Regional Council agreed two years ago to fund a $13 million stake in a multi-use events centre concept originally devised by the Northland Rugby Union, but the Council’s support has always been conditional on several factors, including its funding being capped at $13M.

Regional Council Chairman Mark Farnsworth says that cap remains, which means it is effectively now up to the Whangarei District Council and/or the Rugby Union to meet - or source - the several million dollar shortfall if the Okara Park-based project is to proceed.

He says an 80-plus page scoping report commissioned by the Northland Events Centre Trust had considered – and rejected – a number of options before arriving at a new one worth $16.53M (excluding GST).

That option would include the demolition of the existing stand which would be replaced with a new, covered, 2000-seat south stand that would also incorporate a 200-seat events centre lounge. The report – by the Auckland-based Ncounter Group - says doubling that capacity to 400-seats would be a better option commercially, but notes it would add another approximately $3M to the price tag.

Mr Farnsworth says Councillors from both the Regional and Whangarei District Councils have now been informally briefed by the Events Centre Trust on the report’s findings at separate meetings.

“The Regional Council has said all along its support for this project is conditional on its financial support being limited, the need for the facility to be truly multi-use and independently managed.”

He says while there some matters to be resolved, Regional Councillors believe the suggested option is the one that would potentially satisfy those requirements.

 

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However, with the Regional Council’s $13M funding cap a non-negotiable bottom line, the matter was now effectively in the hands of the other parties as it would be up to them to find the balance of any funding needed.

“I understand that District Councillors are due to formally discuss the report in the near future and the Regional Council will need to wait for the outcome of that meeting before things can potentially progress.”

Mr Farnsworth says Regional Councillors are aware some in the community are becoming frustrated at the length of time the process is taking. However, he says given the scale – and cost – of the proposal, it’s in everyone’s interests to ensure things are done properly.

Whangarei Mayor Stan Semenoff welcomes the end of the event centre’s scoping phase, and says it is now up to the Regional and District Councils to work together to achieve the best possible outcome.

“There was $3 million committed to the events centre by the previous District Council, dependent on significant conference facilities being included.

“My Council would want more than the 200 seats proposed, and I believe there are ways we can achieve that.

“Our feeling is that we should test the market by asking construction firms to come up with design-build proposals to see just how much we can get for a price tag around $16 million.

“We want to see a facility in keeping with the public expectations for the stadium, and I’m confident the marketplace will come back with the answer we want,” Mr Semenoff says.